This has been a long road, and we're nowhere near our destination.Though we only began shooting in earnest in June 2006, Chris and I have been talking about this film since 2002. And though we're gathering steam, it's slow going. There's no way we're hitting the March 15 Nantucket Film Festival deadline.
And yet, as we soldier on, there's no shortage of really cool, really meaningful, and really inspiring moments. I had one today when my friend Jen emailed:
I was talking about Mister Rogers with a dear friend of mine and he referenced a song from Mister Rogers that I vaguely remember about the rain. It was sung by him partially in French. I have Googled "il pleut" and "rain" and "France" and "Mister Rogers" and I am coming up with NOTHING! Do you have any resources that can help me find the words to this song, O le Expert?
I responded, CCing my new friend, Holly Yarbrough who's working on a CD of Mister Rogers' songs called, "Mister Rogers Swings!"
Oh my word, Jen, that's some advanced stuff. But I'll bet who'll know...
Meet Holly Yarbrough who's about to released a lovely new CD, "Mister Rogers Swings." She's the expert! Holly?
Holly -- who's father, Glenn, is a folksinger whos first record was the first record to be released on Elektra (later home to Judy Collins, Phil Ochs and The Pixies) -- responded almost immediately, CCing her friend Joe:
That song isn't on any of the Mister Rogers recordings that are still in print. I vaguely remember it from childhood too.... Joe Negri (of Negri's Music Shop) is the closest connection I know of to Johnny Costa, Fred's musical collaborator and accompanist.
If Joe doesn't remember it, he might know who we could try contacting next. Joe? Any ideas?
And so it was -- just like that -- I was in an email chain with Handyman Negri!
Every time something like that happens -- every email from Tim or Bev, every letter from Amy or package from Lynn, every comment and email from a stranger, and every extra minute with my brother -- is some sort of awesome, unexpected gift.
3 comments:
It's okay to miss the deadline. What is the relationship between deadlines and labors of love?
You're not going to get to make this thing twice. Make it right the first time.
All the best to you guys!
Wow! Glad to see there are "grownups" like myself who still deeply appreciate Mister Rogers. I'm excited for your film's completion.
On a side note, I found the "rain" song you mentioned. If you haven't tracked down an old record with it yet, you can find it at this site: http://museum-go-round.tripod.com/
Eric, thank you. I think I had that record. Thanks for posting the link - it's a really great site.
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